Thursday, November 16

Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United

Last time they met: When these two teams last faced of, Adelaide came away as 3-2 winners. That day the Mariners led 1-0 just before the half courtesy of Appiah-Kubi, before Papa Diawara scored twice in the space of ten minutes in the second half, with a Dylan McGowan strike in their as well giving Adelaide a commanding 3-1 lead. Roy O’Donovan scored late to make the score what it was. Appiah-Kubi has scored two from his past two against Adelaide. Will he make it three of three on Thursday night?

What happened last round: The screams, the joy, the overall feeling of fulfillment up on the Central Coast. It was just like they had won the Championship as the Mariners became the first team to beat the current A-League champions in nine months. Their 2-0 scoreline came with goals from Andrew Hoole in the 19th minute and Jake McGing in the 55th minute. This was a massive win for the Mariners and has them currently sitting in the Top Six. Their opponents for this game however won’t have been so happy with their performance on the field. They were up 1-0 against the Jets thanks to a Nikola Mileusnic strike, but they eventually went down 2-1, as Newcastle bagged two goals in three minutes just before the half. Adelaide came into last round holding down a finals spot, but now they are in 8th position after a disappointing run of results.

What should happen: Two wins on the trot for the Mariners. Despite having a crowd of under 8000 on Friday night, the Mariners faithful still filled up the stadium with their cheers and passion for their beloved team. Being at Bluetongue again will be massive for them. Combined with playing at home and their raw skills and power, the Mariners should be able to put in another great effort resulting in a win, further cementing their status within the Top Six.

Friday, November 17

Brisbane Roar v Melbourne City

Last time they met: The last time these two teams faced off, Brisbane were still feeling optimistic about the season ahead, while Melbourne were looking to prove themselves as an A-League powerhouse. Two Bruce Kamau strikes meant that City won the opening match of the new season, 2-0. Melbourne have now also lost only one game this campaign and sit comfortably in 2nd place, while Brisbane still haven’t registered a victory form six attempts. Will the Roar finally get their first win of the season or will Melbourne continue their hot start?

What happened last round: For Brisbane they drew 1-1 with the Victory. One of their ex-players and history maker Besart Berisha struck first for Melbourne in the 79th minute, Brett Holman evened up the score for the Roar only five minutes later. Brisbane had only 42% possession and four shots on target, so a draw was a credible result for them. However if they produce that against City then their is the real potential for a smashing. While for Melbourne they claimed their first draw of the season against Western Sydney. Jaushua Sotirio opened the scoring in the 19th minute, while Ross McCormack scored the only other goal of the game in the 55th minute. That was his fourth strike of the season and leaves him behind only Roy O’Donovan and Andrija Kaluderovic in the race to be the A-League’s top goal scorer.

What should happen: An easy Melbourne win. This campaign City have beaten the Roar 2-0 already, beaten last years Grand Finalists (Victory), beat and kept Wellington to a clean-sheet, beat Adelaide and kept them to a clean-sheet, lost to Sydney and drawn with Western Sydney. While Brisbane have struggled to claim the three points that they have from six games this season. The Roar will be lucky to keep it close against one of the A-League’s newest contenders.

Saturday, November 18

Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix

Last time they met: Final play of ET before it goes to a penalty shoot-out. The Wanderers take the corner, the ball goes to Oriol Riera, Riera scores in an absolutely clutch performance from the ex-LaLiga man and Western Sydney advance through to the next round of the FFA Cup. Will this encounter prove to be an enthralling match like last time or will one side distance themselves a little more in this game? The Wanderers were the more ball dominant team in this game and showed that when it comes to the big stage, they’ve at least in part erased their ‘perennial chokers’ tag.

What happened last round: A fifth draw in succession for the Wanderers. No matter how they’re playing, they always seem to share the spoils with their opponents. The Wanderers bagged the opening strike of the match through Sotirio in the 19th minute, before Ross McCormack got one back for the home side in the 55th minute to ensure that the points were shared. For Wellington they put in their most commanding performance of the season as they beat Perth 5-2. Xavi Torres scored first for the Glory in the 9th minute, before the Phoenix pulled one back through Dario Vidosic in the 13th minute. Wellington then took a 2-1 lead after Goran Paracki scored in the 34th minute, before Shane Lowry evened up the scores again in the 47th minute of the match. It was all one way traffic after that for Wellington as Gui Finkler scored a goal and Andrija Kaluderovic bagged two. Both sides are looking to claim only their second wins of the season in this encounter.

What should happen: A free-flowing and high-scoring match. In half of their encounters this season Western Sydney have scored two goals. This while they boast numerous attacking threats in the likes of Riera (four goals this season) and Mark Bridge (twenty-nine goals for Western Sydney). While the Phoenix are just coming of an encounter in which they put the big five past the Glory. While one of their most memorable wins as a club came against the Wanderers when they won 5-2 away from home, when Blake Powell bagged four goals.

Sydney FC v Newcastle Jets

Last time they met: Milos Ninkovic and Alex Brosque were the goal scorers the last time these two teams faced off. That meant that Sydney came away with a relatively easy 2-0 victory. While the seven games before that were all Sky Blue victories as well. The Jets are yet to register a goal against Sydney in their past six encounters against them. With the tides now somewhat turned, will Newcastle finally crack a win against Sydney or will history again repeat itself?

What happened last round: Sydney FC lost for the first time in nine months to the Central Coast Mariners, 2-0. Boy did they know about it after the game, their were loud cheers of victory and passion as the stadium erupted after the full-time whistle. However it was also probably one of the Sky Blues worst performances during that period as well as they could barely control the ball and let the Mariners slice through them with relative ease. For Newcastle their game was a fair bit better as they fought back from a 1-0 deficit against Adelaide to come out victorious 2-1. The men on target for the Jets were Benjamin Kantarovski and Andrew Nabbout. The result left Newcastle in outright top spot on the ladder and with every other squad now trying to catch up to them.

What should happen: A rebound Sydney win. The last time Sydney lost a game, they went on to win their remaining eight games of a possible nine, along with a draw and claim the Championship Double. This game against the high flying Jets should prove to be no different with everyone from Andrew Redmayne through to Bobo and Alex Brosque looking to redeem themselves for Friday nights disappointing loss. Expect to see a strong performance culminating in a Sky Blues victory.

Sunday, November 19

Perth Glory v Melbourne Victory

Last time they met: Perth led 1-0 within the opening five minutes of the game, but it was all one way traffic from their as Melbourne steamrolled Perth on their way to a comprehensive 4-1 victory. It was Diego Castro who opened the scoring for Perth that day, but then four different goal scorers for the Victory spoiled the party. Besart Berisha has seven strikes from his last seven appearances against Perth. Will his outstanding game to goal ratio against the Glory continue on Sunday evening?

What happened last round: For Perth it was nothing but embarrassment as they suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat to the lowly Phoenix (who because of the win aren’t actually so lowly anymore). Wellington won fourteen more duels than Perth, while the Glory also conceded thirteen fouls in what are two telling stats from the game. As for Melbourne their winless start to the season continued as they drew 1-all with Brisbane. Berisha struck first for the Victory giving them a slight hope of winning the match, but Brett Holman bagged one for the opponents not long after to put those hopes to bed. Neither side is travelling particularly well this season, but both would love a convincing victory to kick-start their campaigns into gear.

What should happen: A relatively boring game. One that you really shouldn’t expect all that much from. Perth have only won 50% of their games this season, while Melbourne are still yet to register a win. The Victory conceded sixteen fouls in their last encounter while Perth have been constantly misfiring this campaign. Don’t be worried if you don’t turn on the tv for this one.